In a shocking incident of political protest, a demonstrator set themselves ablaze outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, leaving them in a critical condition. The Protester, marked by the presence of a Palestinian flag, was described as an “extreme act of political protest” by Darin Schierbaum, the city’s police chief.
A security guard, who attempted to intervene, was also injured in the process. Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith confirmed that both individuals had sustained burns. The security guard suffered burns on his wrist and leg, while the protester, whose age and gender were not disclosed, was critically injured with “full thickness” burns to their body. Both were subsequently hospitalized.
The incident occurred around noon when the protester arrived outside the consulate building. The security guard noticed the individual’s attempt to self-immolate but was unable to prevent the act.
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In response to the incident, Schierbaum stated that dedicated patrols are being conducted at this location and other Jewish and Muslim communities in the city.
This incident comes amid a rise in Anti-Semitic, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic threats and violence in the United States, following the onset of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza in October.